brachial vein

Meaning

1. 1nouncountablemedicaltechnical

   One of a pair of deep veins in the upper arm that run beside the brachial artery and carry blood back toward the heart.

   Grammar: Often plural, since there are usually two: the brachial veins.

   Patterns

   • the brachial vein of the arm

   The brachial veins run on either side of the brachial artery in the upper arm.

   Surgeons took care not to injure the brachial vein during the operation.

   The brachial vein joins the axillary vein near the shoulder.

Word forms

Common combinations

brachial artery and vein

The brachial artery and vein travel together down the arm.

deep brachial vein

A blood clot formed in a deep brachial vein.

thrombosis of the brachial vein

The patient had thrombosis of the brachial vein.

puncture the brachial vein

Nurses avoid the risk of puncturing the brachial vein.

Synonyms and how they differ

vena brachialis

Vena brachialis is the Latin anatomical name, used in textbooks, and it names the same vessel.

deep vein

Deep vein is a broad term that includes the brachial vein, along with many other veins in the limbs.

upper arm vein

Upper arm vein is a casual description, and it could also mean a surface vein like the basilic vein.

Word family

brachial adjective

relating to the arm

brachial artery noun

the main artery of the upper arm

basilic vein noun

a large surface vein on the inner arm

axillary vein noun

the vein in the armpit that receives blood from the brachial veins

Commonly confused: brachial vein or basilic vein? brachial vein or brachial artery?

Practice

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